Cricket 2024: David Warner’s missing baggy green caps recovered in curious location

Cricket authorities have all but quashed one of the main conspiracy theories about the disappearance of David Warner’s baggy green after it was recovered by the retiring Aussie opener.

The mystery surrounding David Warner’s disappearing baggy green caps lives on – but accusations of foul play have been all but ruled out.

Warner’s missing backpack containing his beloved baggy green caps mysteriously turned up amongst other bags in the team area of the team hotel in Sydney on Thursday.

The fact the backpack was found in a team area of the hotel – and not at reception – would appear to eliminate any chance it was stolen by a member of the public.

For a suspected bandit to have avoided all CCTV cameras in the initial theft and then again in knowing how to get into a secure area designated for the team to return it doesn’t make sense.

Sources close to the team are adamant the disappearance was not a PR stunt, nor do they believe the backpack was stolen and they are hopeful the disappearing act was not a prank gone wrong from a teammate.

One possible conclusion is the precious items contained in the bag simply were not spotted by searchers who have hunted for it over the past six days.

Cricketer David Warner has found his missing baggy green hat Picture: Instagram

Cricketers have more luggage than Kim Kardashian and it’s inevitable that things go missing.

The Australian team carts well over 100 bags around the world and every single tour items go missing … and sometimes they return.

Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley lavished praise on major partner Qantas after the airline was cleared of any culpability in the mysterious disappearance of Warner’s baggy greens.

Warner on Friday morning thanked Qantas for their exhaustive search efforts after the missing backpack containing his beloved baggy green caps mysteriously turned up on Thursday.

It was on Tuesday morning that Warner had claimed in a desperate “last resort” plea on his social media accounts, that the backpack had been taken out of his luggage en route from Melbourne to Sydney after being freighted via Qantas.

“A bit of relief I think. Davey’s played 112 games. I know for me the baggy green means a lot so it was great to have that back in his hands,” Carey said.

It’s understood Qantas advised Cricket Australia on Wednesday night that they had conducted a thorough investigation and there was no record of the bag being removed from Cricket Australia’s freight.

Warner in the field during his final Test. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

Hockley had been in contact with the organisation’s major partner Qantas during the week after they were identified by Warner as one of multiple third-parties involved in the transportation of Cricket Australia’s bags from Melbourne to Sydney.

At a CA official function at the SCG on Friday, a few hours after Warner revealed the caps had been found, Hockley paid tribute to Qantas and their chief executive Vanessa Hudson, who was in attendance at the luncheon.

“Qantas has just been the most wonderful, wonderful partner to cricket,” Hockley said on Friday at the SCG.

“Flying all our cricketers all around Australia and all around the world. Again, it simply wouldn’t happen without you.

“We were reflecting last night on just how Qantas helped keep the game going through the last few years (during Covid).

“… Thank you so much for your support.”

Warner was spotted wearing a floppy hat in the field. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

The fact the back pack containing the baggy green caps was found in a team area of the hotel — and not at reception — would appear to reduce the chances of it having been stolen by a member of the public.

A team statement said the movements of the bag between when the team arrived in Sydney on Sunday, and its discovery on Thursday, remained a mystery.

“The movements of the missing bag are unknown despite extensive searches and the review of the CCTV footage at multiple locations and the efforts of numerous parties since Tuesday.”

Hockley thanked all involved in the exhaustive search for the caps.

“It’s a huge relief David’s cap has been located and a big thank you to everyone who was involved in the search. We really appreciate it,” said Hockley.

Warner also expressed his gratitude in a video posted to his social media on Friday morning before play.

“Hi everyone, I am very pleased and relieved to let you all know that my baggy greens have been found, which is great news,‘’ Warner said.

“Thanks to all involved and I am extremely grateful. Qantas, the freight company, our hotels and team management. Thanks you.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese led those in officialdom calling for Warner’s cap to be returned after claims they had been stolen.

“And I do hope, it hasn’t happened already, whoever knows anything about the missing caps, David Warner has represented Australia on more than 100 occasions,” Mr Albanese said.

“The baggy green caps belong to him. He has earned them and they should be returned.”

Originally published as Cricket 2024: David Warner’s missing baggy green caps recovered in curious location